Concert inspired by life events

Published
12:00 am CDT, Sunday, October 19, 2014

ALTON — The Upper Alton Baptist Church was filled with people taking in the Great Rivers Choral Society for the second time in as many days on Sunday afternoon. The group put their show “Hello & Farewell” on Sunday afternoon.

The concert presented music inspired by all of life’s events, and the goal of the concert was to inspire those in attendance to live in the moment and appreciate life.

The group typically puts on four programs a year at varying local venues, according to music director Dr. Ronald Abraham. The group is composed of 45 to 50 people from all over the area including St. Louis, Edwardsville, Wood River and Collinsville.

The group had never been to the Upper Alton Baptist Church before their weekend show and Abraham notes several reasons for the group’s first visit to the church.

“Two members of our choir are members of the church and structure and the acoustics of the church were appealing to me,” Abraham said.

The choir had 38 members of their group present for the event Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, Abraham attributes some of the missing members to schedule conflict.

The Great Rivers Choral Society welcomes anyone to take in one of their shows — there is no cost for admission.

“All concerts are free and open to the public, we don’t charge ticket prices,” Abraham said. “We do have a free-will collection during the show.”

The group plays at different churches in the area, but Abraham says the performances are not exclusive to churches. The choir also plays at schools and outdoor venues in the area.

This weekend’s show attracted anywhere from 80 to 100 people and Abraham noticed that Sunday’s show had a few more spectators than their Saturday night performance. Those in attendance stuck around after the show to congratulate several members of the choir and to thank them for the show they put on.

The choir’s next shows will be on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Godfrey. The group will put on their Celtic Christmas performance which includes performances from Irish band Celtica from Belleville.